This was a very small conference, but all the attendees were very passionate about this topic, and to my surprise also very passionate about emerging business models that pertain to the auto industry. Below are my notes from each speaker:

Larry Burns

Advisor for Google Self-Driving Cars and Former VP of R&D at GM

Topic: Is the auto industry today evolutionary or transformational?

History of the automobile: 100+ years making automobiles in the US; innovating features introduced every decade; the electric is born.

The automobile has been the same for the last 100+ years. Very slow to change. We are on the edge of a radical transformation.

Stats: 1 billion automobiles world wide; 1.2M fatalities

Old DNA: The industry is slow to change; built into the DNA via regulations.

Nick Muerdter

Topic: The public API that he builds for the US Department of Energy for developers to use to help evolve [disrupt] the auto industry.

The US spends $1B to import oil.

US Department of Energy wants to replace, reduce, and ultimately eliminate fossil fuels; reduction of fuels.

APIs available to developers from the US Department of Energy are: finding alternate fuel stations.

The US Department of Energy wants to increase the data to the ecosystem. Expose all their data via public APIs so that developer and ultimately the consumer can leverage their data in mobile apps and automobiles. It’s all about the drivers.

Panel Discussion w/ Speakers

The SW, HW and Car companies are integrating. We’re sorting out the players today. Much like 100 years ago when cars came out; lots of players at first before consolidation happens.

This is an emerging industry. We are figuring out our virtual and physical worlds. Worlds are starting to collide. Lots of overlaps.

Find opportunities using negative scenarios in order to make change happen. Must be incremental. E.g. Parking is a negative; people working to make it better through apps.

APIs are becoming much more noticeable by business people as compared to a few years ago. Automobile executives are looking at APIs as product and/or service to improve the driving experience for their customers (e.g. OnStar, Tesla). They look at it as an investment to be competitive in the future.